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On minimum training requirements, Mr Lamb said the Government is treating the subject as a high priority, in particular the concerns noted about the provisions being too prescriptive and needing more flexibility.
Regarding CPD, he said the Government will call for this to be a requirement for all health professionals, including those covered by the general system. Since education is a Member State competence and CPD practices vary widely across Member States, DBIS does not believe this requirement should go into detail. Rather, it should form an incentive for those Member States who do not CPD requirements in place to develop this.
The Minister noted that the impact assessment accompanying the draft Directive does not include "a concrete analysis of the possible costs and benefits to competent authorities and professionals" which would result from the introduction of a European Professional Card. The Government shares the Committee's view that the professional card as proposed is unconvincing. In particular, the Government is seeking to ensure that home competent authorities would clearly retain the power to decide whether a professional should be recognised, and that the proposals do not place undue strain or cost on competent authorities.
The Government is unsure whether Article 168 TFEU would be a suitable legal base for provisions concerned with public health and safety, is examining the legal implications further, and will set out a more defined position shortly.